Title: Don Garcia of Navarre

Author: Moliere

INTRODUCTORY NOTICE.

Nothing can be more unlike _The Pretentious Young Ladies_ or

_Sganarelle_ than Molière's _Don Garcia of Navarre_. The Théâtre du

Palais-Royal had opened on the 20th January, 1661, with _The Love-Tiff_

and _Sganarelle_, but as the young wife of Louis XIV., Maria Theresa,

daughter of Philip IV., King of Spain, had only lately arrived, and as a

taste for the Spanish drama appeared to spring up anew in France,

Molière thought perhaps that a heroic comedy in that style might meet

with some success, the more so as a company of Spanish actors had been

performing in Paris the plays of Lope de Vega and Calderon, since the

24th of July, 1660. Therefore, he brought out, on the 4th of February,

1661, his new play of _Don Garcia of Navarre_. It is said that there

exists a Spanish play of the same name, of which the author is unknown;

Molière seems to have partly followed an Italian comedy, written by

Giacinto Andrea Cicognini, under the name of _Le Gelosie fortunata del

principe Rodrigo_; the style, loftiness and delicacy of expression are

peculiar to the French dramatist.

_Don Garcia of Navarre_ met with no favourable reception, though the

author played the part of the hero. He withdrew it after five

representations, but still did not think its condemnation final, for he

played it again before the King on the 29th of September, 1662, in

October, 1663, at Chantilly, and twice at Versailles. He attempted it

anew on the theatre of the Palace-Royal in the month of November, 1663;

but as it was everywhere unfavourably received, he resolved never to

play it more, and even would not print it, for it was only published

after his death in 1682. He inserted some parts of this comedy in the

_Misanthrope_, the _Femmes Savantes_, _Amphitryon_, _Tartuffe_ and _Les

Fâcheux, where they produced great effect.

Though it has not gained a place on the French stage, it nevertheless

possesses some fine passages. Molière wished to create a counterpart of

_Sganarelle_, the type of ridiculous jealousy, and to delineate

passionate jealousy, its doubts, fears, perplexities and anxieties, and

in this he has succeeded admirably. However noble-minded Don Garcia may

be, there rages within his soul a mean passion which tortures and

degrades him incessantly. When at last he is banished from the presence

of the fair object of his love, he resolves to brave death by devoting

himself to the destruction of her foe; but he is forestalled by his

presumed rival, Don Alphonso, who turns out to be the brother of his

mistress, and she receives him once again and for ever in her favour.

The delineation of all these passions is too fine-spun, too

argumentative to please the general public; the style is sometimes

stilted, yet passages of great beauty may be found in it. Moreover the

jealousy expressed by Don Garcia is neither sufficiently terrible to

frighten, nor ridiculous enough to amuse the audience; he always speaks

and acts as a prince, and hence, he sometimes becomes royally

monotonous.

Some scenes of this play have been imitated in _The Masquerade_, a

comedy, acted at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, 1719, London, "printed

for Bernard Linton, between the Temple Gate," which was itself partly

borrowed from Shirley's _Lady of Pleasure_. The comedy was written by

Mr. Charles Johnson, who "was originally bred to the law, and was a

member of the Middle Temple; but being a great admirer of the Muses, and

finding in himself a strong propensity to dramatic writing, he quitted

the studious labour of the one, for the more spirited amusements of the

other; and by contracting an intimacy with Mr. Wilks, found means,

through that gentleman's interest, to get his plays on the stage without

much difficulty ... he, by a polite and modest behaviour formed so

extensive an acquaintance and intimacy, as constantly ensured him great

emoluments on his benefit night by which means, being a man of economy,

he was enabled to subsist very genteelly. He at length married a young

widow, with a tolerable fortune; on which he set up a tavern in Bow

Street, Covent Garden, but quitted business at his wife's death, and

lived privately on an easy competence he had saved.... He was born in

1679 ... but he did not die till March 11, 1748." [Footnote: Biographia

Dramatica, by Baker, Reed and Jones, 1812, Vol. I. Part i.]

_The Masquerade_ is a clever comedy, rather free in language and

thought, chiefly about the danger of gambling. Some of the sayings are

very pointed. It has been stated that the author frequented the

principal coffee-houses in town, and picked up many pungent remarks

there; however this may be, the literary men who at the present time

frequent clubs, have, I am afraid, not the same chance. As a specimen of

free and easy--rather too easy--wit, let me mention the remarks of Mr.

Smart (Act I.) on the way he passed the night, and in what manner. "Nine

persons are kept handsomely out of the sober income of one hundred

pounds a year." I also observe the name of an old acquaintance in this

play. Thackeray's hero in the Memoirs of Mr. Charles J. Yellowplush is

"the Honourable Algernon Percy Deuceace, youngest and fifth son of the

Earl of Crabs," and in _The Masquerade_ (Act III. Sc. i) Mr. Ombre says:

"Did you not observe an old decay'd rake that stood next the box-keeper

yonder ... they call him _Sir Timothy Deuxace_; that wretch has play'd

off one of the best families in Europe--he has thrown away all his

posterity, and reduced 20,000 acres of wood-land, arable, meadow, and

pasture within the narrow circumference of an oaken table of eight

foot." _The Masquerade_ as the title of the play is a misnomer, for it

does not conduce at all to the plot. We give the greater part of the

Prologue to _The Masquerade_, spoken by Mr. Wilks:--

The Poet, who must paint by Nature's Laws,

If he wou'd merit what he begs, Applause;

Surveys your changing Pleasures with Surprise,

Sees each new Day some new Diversion rise;

Hither, thro' all the Quarters of the Sky,

Fresh Rooks in Flocks from ev'ry Nation hye,

To us, the Cullies of the Globe, they fly;

French, Spaniards, Switzers; This Man dines on Fire

And swallows Brimstone to your Heart's Desire;

Another, Handless, Footless, Half a Man,

Does, Wou'd you think it? what no Whole one can,

A Spaniard next, taught an Italian Frown,

Boldly declares he'll stare all Europe down:

His tortured Muscles pleas'd our English Fools;

[Footnote: In the rival House, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields Theatre, Rich was

bringing out Pantomimes, which, by the fertility of his invention, the

excellency of his own performance, and the introduction of foreign

performers, drew nightly crowded houses--hence the allusion.]

Why wou'd the Sot engage with English Bulls?

Our English Bulls are Hereticks uncivil,

They'd toss the Grand Inquisitor, the Devil:

'Twas stupidly contrived of Don Grimace,

To hope to fright 'em with an ugly Face.

And yet, tho' these Exotick Monsters please,

We must with humble Gratitude confess,

To you alone 'tis due, that in this Age,

Good Sense still triumphs on the British Stage:

Shakespear beholds with Joy his Sons inherit

His good old Plays, with good old Bess's Spirit.

Be wise and merry, while you keep that Tether;

Nonsense and Slavery must die together.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

DON GARCIA, _Prince of Navarre, in love with Elvira_.

[Footnote: In the inventory taken after Molière's death mention is made

of "Spanish dress, breeches, cloth cloak, and a satin doublet, the whole

adorned with silk embroideries." This is probably the dress in which

Molière played _Don Garcia_.]

DON ALPHONSO, _Prince of Leon, thought to be Prince of Castile, under

the name of Don Silvio_.

DON ALVAREZ, _confidant of Don Garcia, in love with Eliza_.

DON LOPEZ, _another confidant of Don Garcia, in love with Eliza_.

DON PEDRO, _gentleman usher to Inez_.

A PAGE.

DONNA ELVIRA, _Princess of Leon_.

DONNA INEZ, _a Countess, in love with Don Silvio, beloved by Mauregat,

the usurper of the Kingdom of Leon_.

ELIZA, _confidant to Elvira_.

_Scene_.--ASTORGA, _a city of Spain, in the kingdom of Leon_.

DON GARCIA OF NAVARRE;

OR, THE JEALOUS PRINCE.

(_DON GARCIE DE NAVARRE, OU LE PRINCE JALOUX_.)

* * * * *

ACT I.

SCENE I.--DONNA ELVIRA, ELIZA.

ELVIRA. No, the hidden feelings of my heart were not regulated by

choice: whatever the Prince may be, there is nothing in him to make me

prefer his love. Don Silvio shows, as well as he, all the qualities of a

renowned hero. The same noble virtues and the same high birth made me

hesitate whom to prefer. If aught but merit could gain my heart, the

conqueror were yet to be named; but these chains, with which Heaven

keeps our souls enslaved, decide me, and, though I esteem both equally,

my love is given to Don Garcia.

ELIZA. The love which you feel for him, seems to have very little

influenced your actions, since I, myself, madam, could not for a long

time discover which of the two rivals was the favoured one.

ELV. Their noble rivalry in love, Eliza, caused a severe struggle in my

breast. When I looked on the one, I felt no pangs, because I followed my

own tender inclination; but when I thought I sacrificed the other, I

considered I acted very unjustly; and was of opinion, that Don Silvio's

passion, after all, deserved a happier destiny. I also reflected that a

daughter of the late King of Leon owed some obligation to the house of

Castile; that an intimate friendship had long knit together the

interests of his father and mine. Thus, the more the one made progress

in my heart, the more I lamented the ill success of the other. Full of

pity, I listened to his ardent sighs, and received his vows politely;

thus in a slight degree I tried to make amends for the opposition his

love met with in my heart.

EL. But since you have been informed he previously loved another, your

mind ought to be at rest. Before he loved you, Donna Inez had received

the homage of his heart. As she is your most intimate friend, and has

told you this secret, you are free to bestow your love upon whom you

wish, and cover your refusal to listen to him under the guise of

friendship for her.

ELV. It is true, I ought to be pleased with the news of Don Silvio's

faithlessness, because my heart, that was tormented by his love, is now

at liberty to reject it; can justly refuse his addresses, and, without

scruple, grant its favours to another. But what delight can my heart

feel, if it suffers severely from other pangs; if the continual weakness

of a jealous prince receives my tenderness with disdain, compels me

justly to give way to anger, and thus to break off all intercourse

between us?

EL. But as he has never been told that you love him, how can he be

guilty if he disbelieves in his happiness? And does not that which could

flatter his rival's expectations warrant him to suspect your affection?

ELV. No, no; nothing can excuse the strange madness of his gloomy and

unmanly jealousy; I have told him but too clearly, by my actions, that

he can indeed flatter himself with the happiness of being beloved. Even

if we do not speak, there are other interpreters which clearly lay bare

our secret feelings. A sigh, a glance, a mere blush, silence itself, is

enough to show the impulses of a heart. In love, everything speaks: in a

case like this, the smallest glimmer ought to throw a great light upon

such a subject, since the honour which sways our sex forbids us ever to

discover all we feel. I have, I own, endeavoured so to guide my conduct,

that I should behold their merits with an unprejudiced eye. But how

vainly do we strive against our inclinations! How easy is it to perceive

the difference between those favours that are bestowed out of mere

politeness, and such as spring from the heart! The first seem always

forced; the latter, alas! are granted without thinking, like those pure

and limpid streams which spontaneously flow from their native sources.

Though the feelings of pity I showed for Don Silvio moved the Prince,

yet I unwittingly betrayed their shallowness, whilst my very looks,

during this torture, always told him more than I desired they should.

EL. Though the suspicions of that illustrious lover have no

foundation--for you tell me so--they at least prove that he is greatly

smitten: some would rejoice at what you complain of. Jealousy may be

odious when it proceeds from a love which displeases us; but when we

return that love, such feelings should delight us. It is the best way in

which a lover can express his passion; the more jealous he is the more

we ought to love him. Therefore since in your soul a magnanimous

Prince....

ELV. Ah! do not bring forward such a strange maxim. Jealousy is always

odious and monstrous; nothing can soften its injurious attacks; the

dearer the object of our love is to us, the more deeply we feel its

offensive attempts. To see a passionate Prince, losing every moment that

respect with which love inspires its real votaries; to see him, when his

whole mind is a prey to jealousy, finding fault either with what I like

or dislike, and explaining every look of mine in favour of a rival!

[Footnote: Molière has expressed the same thoughts differently in _The

Bores_, Act ii. scene 4.]

No, no! such suspicions are too insulting, and I tell you my thoughts

without disguise. I love Don Garcia; he alone can fascinate a generous

heart; his courage in Leon has nobly proved his passion for me; he dared

on my account the greatest dangers, freed me from the toils of cowardly

tyrants, and protected me against the horrors of an unworthy alliance by

placing me within these strong walls. Nor will I deny but that I should

have regretted that I owed my deliverance to any other; for an enamoured

heart feels an extreme pleasure, Eliza, in being under some obligations

to the object beloved; its faint flame becomes stronger and brighter

when it thinks it can discharge them by granting some favours. Yes, I am

charmed that he assisted me and risked his life for me, for this seems

to give his passion a right of conquest; I rejoice that the danger I was

in threw me into his hands. If common reports be true, and Heaven should

grant my brother's return, I wish fervently, and with all my heart, that

his arm may aid my brother to recover his throne, and punish a traitor;

that his heroic valour may be successful, and thus deserve my brother's

utmost gratitude. But for all this, if he continues to rouse my anger;

if he does not lay aside his jealousy, and obey me in whatever I

command, he in vain aspires to the hand of Donna Elvira. Marriage can

never unite us; for I abhor bonds, which, undoubtedly, would then make a

hell upon earth for both of us.

EL. Although one may hold different opinions, the Prince, Madam, should

conform himself to your desires; they are so clearly set down in your

note that, when he sees them thus explained, he...

ELV. This letter, Eliza, shall not be employed for such a purpose. It

will be better to tell him what I think of his conduct. When we favor a

lover by writing to him, we leave in his hands too flagrant proofs of

our inclination. Therefore take care that that letter is not delivered

to the Prince.

EL. Your will is law; yet I cannot help wondering that Heaven has made

people's minds so unlike, and that what some consider an insult should

be viewed with a different eye by others. As for me I should think

myself very fortunate if I had a lover who could be jealous, for his

uneasiness would give me satisfaction. That which often vexes me is to

see Don Alvarez give himself no concern about me.

ELV. We did not think he was so near us. Here he comes.

SCENE II.--DONNA ELVIRA, DON ALVAREZ, ELIZA.

ELV. Your return surprises me. What tidings do you bring? Is Don

Alphonso coming, and when may we expect him?

ALV. Yes, Madam; the time has arrived when your brother, brought up in

Castile, will get his own again. Hitherto, the cautious Don Louis, to

whom the late King, on his death-bed, entrusted the care of Don

Alphonso, has concealed his rank from every one, in order to save him

from the fury of the traitor Mauregat. Though the miserable but

successful tyrant has often inquired after him, under pretence of

restoring him to the throne, yet Don Louis, who is full of prudence,

would never trust to Mauregat's pretended feelings for justice, with

which he tried to allure him. But as the people became enraged at the

violence which a usurper would have offered you, generous old Don Louis

thought it time to try what could be done after twenty years'

expectation. He has sounded Leon; his faithful emissaries have sought to

influence the minds of great and small. Whilst Castile was arming ten

thousand men to restore that Prince so wished for by his people, Don

Louis caused a report to be noised abroad that the renowned Don Alphonso

was coming, but that he would not produce him save at the head of an

army, and completely ready to launch the avenging thunderbolts at the

vile usurper's head. Leon is besieged, and Don Silvio himself commands

the auxiliary forces, with which his father aids you.

ELV. We may flatter ourselves that our expectations will be realized,

but I am afraid my brother will owe Don Silvio too heavy a debt.

[Footnote: Donna Elvira is afraid that Don Alphonso will owe Don Silvio

a debt so heavy, that he will only be able to repay it by the gift of

her hand.]

ALV. But, Madam, is it not strange that, notwithstanding the storm which

the usurper of your throne hears growling over his head, all the advices

from Leon agree that he is going to marry the Countess Inez?

ELV. By allying himself to the high-born maiden, he hopes to obtain the

support of her powerful family. I am rather uneasy that of late I have

heard nothing of her. But she has always shown an inveterate dislike to

that tyrant.

EL. Feelings of honour and tenderness will cause her to refuse the

marriage they urge upon her, for...

ALV. The Prince is coming here.

SCENE III.--DON GARCIA, DONNA ELVIRA, DON ALVAREZ, ELIZA.

GARC. I come, Madam to rejoice with you in the good tidings you have

just heard. Your brother, who threatens a tyrant stained with crimes,

allows me to hope that my love may one day be returned, and offers to my

arm an opportunity to acquire glory in fresh dangers for the sake of

your lovely eyes. If Heaven proves propitious I will gain amidst these

dangers a victory, which divine justice owes to you, which will lay

treachery at your feet, and restore to your family its former dignity.

But what pleases me still more amidst these cherished expectations is

that Heaven restores you this brother to be King; for now my love may

openly declare itself, without being accused of seeking to gain a crown

whilst striving to obtain your hand. Yes, my heart desires nothing more

than to show before the whole world that in you it values but yourself;

if I may say so without giving offence, a hundred times have I wished

you were of less rank. Loving you as I do I could have desired that your

divine charms had fallen to the lot of some one born in a humbler

station, that I might unselfishly proffer my heart, and thus make amends

to you for Heaven's injustice, so that you might owe to my love the

homage due to your birth.

[Footnote: The sentence from "Yes, my heart," &c., until "your birth" is

nearly the same as the words addressed by Alceste to Celimène in the

_Misanthrope_, Act iv. Sc. 3 (see Vol. II.)]

But since Heaven has forestalled me, and deprives me of the privilege of

proving my love, do not take it amiss that my amorous flames look for

some slight encouragement when I shall have killed the tyrant, whom I am

ready to encounter; suffer me by noble services favourably to dispose

the minds of a brother and of a whole nation towards me.

ELV. I know, Prince, that by avenging our wrongs you can make a hundred

deeds of daring speak for your love. But the favour of a brother and the

gratitude of a nation are not sufficient to reward you; Elvira is not to

be obtained by such efforts; there is yet a stronger obstacle to

overcome.

GARC. Yes, Madam, I know what you mean. I know very well that my heart

sighs in vain for you; neither do I ignore the powerful obstacle against

my love, though you name it not.

ELV. Often we hear badly when we think we hear well. Too much ardour,

Prince, may lead us into mistakes. But since I must speak, I will. Do

you wish to know how you can please me, and when you may entertain any

hope?

GARC. I should consider this, Madam, a very great favour.

ELV. When you know how to love as you ought.

GARC. Alas! Madam, does there exist anything under the canopy of heaven

that yields not to the passion with which your eyes have inspired me?

ELV. When your passion displays nothing at which the object of your love

can feel offended.

GARC. That is its greatest study.

ELV. When you shall cease to harbour mean unworthy sentiments of me.

GARC. I love you to adoration.

ELV. When you have made reparation for your unjust suspicions, and when

you finally banish that hideous monster which poisons your love with its

black venom; that jealous and whimsical temper which mars, by its

outbreaks, the love you offer, prevents it from ever being favourably

listened to, and arms me, each time, with just indignation against it.

GARC. Alas, Madam, it is true, that, notwithstanding my utmost effort,

some trifling jealousy lingers in my heart; that a rival, though distant

from your divine charms, disturbs my equanimity. Whether it be whimsical

or reasonable, I always imagine that you are uneasy when he is absent,

and that in spite of my attentions, your sighs are continually sent in

search of that too happy rival. But if such suspicions displease you,

alas, you may easily cure them; their removal, which I hope for, depends

more on you than on me. Yes, with a couple of love-breathing words you

can arm my soul against jealousy, and disperse all the horrors with

which that monster has enshrouded it, by encouraging me to entertain

some expectation of a successful issue. Deign therefore to remove the

doubt that oppresses me; and, amidst so many trials, let your charming

lips grant me the assurance that you love me,--an assurance, of which, I

know, I am utterly unworthy.

ELV. Prince, your suspicions completely master you. The slightest

intimation of a heart should be understood; it does not reciprocate a

passion that continually adjures the object beloved to explain herself

more clearly. The first agitation displayed by our soul ought to satisfy

a discreet lover; if he wishes to make us declare ourselves more

plainly, he only gives us a reason for breaking our promise. If it

depended on me alone, I know not whether I should choose Don Silvio or

yourself; the very wish I expressed for you not to be jealous, would

have been a sufficient hint to any one but you; I thought this request

was worded agreeably enough without needing anything further. Your love,

however, is not yet satisfied, and requires a more public avowal. In

order to remove any scruples, I must distinctly say that I love you;

perhaps even, to make more sure of it, you will insist that I must swear

it too.

GARC. Well, Madam, I own I am too bold; I ought to be satisfied with

everything that pleases you. I desire no further information. I believe

you feel kindly towards me, that my love inspires you even with a little

compassion; I am happier than I deserve to be. It is over now; I abandon

my jealous suspicions; the sentence which condemns them is very

agreeable; I shall obey the decision you so kindly pronounce, and free

my heart from their unfounded sway.

ELV. You promise a great deal, Prince, but I very much doubt whether you

can restrain yourself sufficiently.

GARC. Ah! Madam, you may believe me; it is enough that what is promised

to you ought always to be kept, because the happiness of obeying the

being one worships ought to render easy the greatest efforts. May Heaven

declare eternal war against me; may its thunder strike me dead at your

feet; or, what would be even worse than death, may your wrath be poured

upon me, if ever my love descends to such weakness as to fail in the

promise I have given, if ever any jealous transport of my soul...!

SCENE IV.--DONNA ELVIRA, DON GARCIA, DON ALVAREZ, ELIZA, A PAGE

_presenting a letter to Donna Elvira_.

ELV. I was very anxious about this letter, I am very much obliged to

you; let the messenger wait.

SCENE V.--DONNA ELVIRA, DON GARCIA, DON ALVAREZ, ELIZA.

ELV. (_Low and aside_). I see already by his looks that this letter

disturbs him. What a wonderfully jealous temper he has! (_Aloud_). What

stops you, Prince, in the midst of your oath.

GARC. I thought you might have some secret together; I was unwilling to

interrupt you.

ELV. It seems to me that you reply in a much altered voice; I see all of

a sudden a certain wildness in your looks; this abrupt change surprises

me. What can be the cause of it? May I know?

GARC. A sudden sickness at heart.

ELV. Such illnesses have often more serious consequences than one

believes; some immediate remedy would be necessary; but, tell me, have

you often such attacks?

GARC. Sometimes.

ELV. Alas, weak-minded Prince! Here, let this writing cure your

distemper; it is nowhere but in the mind.

GARC. That writing, Madam! No, I refuse to take it. I know your thoughts

and what you will accuse me of, if...

ELV. Read it, I tell you, and satisfy yourself.

GARC. That you may afterwards call me weak-minded and jealous? No, no, I

will prove that this letter gave me no umbrage, and though you kindly

allow me to read it, to justify myself, I will not do so.

ELV. If you persist in your refusal, I should be wrong to compel you; it

is sufficient, in short, as I have insisted upon it, to let you see

whose hand it is.

GARC. I ought always to be submissive to you; if it is your pleasure I

should read it for you, I will gladly do so.

ELV. Yes, yes, Prince, here it is; you shall read it for me.

GARC. I only do so, Madam, in obedience to your commands, and I may

say...

ELV. Whatever you please; but pray make haste.

GARC. It comes from Donna Inez, I perceive.

ELV. It does, and I am glad of it, both for your sake and mine.

GARC. (_Reads_). "_In spite of all that I do to show my contempt for the

tyrant, he persists in his love for me; the more effectually to

encompass his designs, he has, since your absence, directed against me

all that violence with which he pursued the alliance between yourself

and his son. Those who perhaps have the right to command me, and who are

inspired by base motives of false honour, all approve this unworthy

proposal. I do not know yet where my persecution will end; but I will

die sooner than give my consent. May you, fair Elvira, be happier in

your fate than I am_. DONNA INEZ." A lofty virtue fortifies her mind.

ELV. I will go and write an answer to this illustrious friend.

Meanwhile, Prince, learn not to give way so readily to what causes you

alarm. I have calmed your emotion by enlightening you, and the whole

affair has passed off quietly; but, to tell you the truth, a time may

come when I might entertain other sentiments.

GARC. What? you believe then...

ELV. I believe what I ought. Farewell, remember what I tell you; if your

love for me be really so great as you pretend, prove it as I wish.

GARC. Henceforth this will be my only desire; and sooner than fail in

it, I will lose my life.

ACT II.

SCENE I.--ELIZA, DON LOPEZ.

EL. To speak my mind freely to you, I am not much astonished at anything

the Prince may do; for it is very natural, and I cannot disapprove of

it, that a soul inflamed by a noble passion should become exasperated by

jealousy, and that frequent doubts should cross his mind: but what

surprises me, Don Lopez, is to hear that you keep alive his suspicions;

that you are the contriver of them; that he is sad only because you wish

it, jealous only because he looks at everything with your eyes. I repeat

it, Don Lopez, I do not wonder that a man who is greatly in love becomes

suspicious. But, that a man who is not in love should have all the

anxieties of one who is jealous--this is a novelty that belongs to none

but you.

LOP. Let everybody comment on my actions as much as they please. Each

man regulates his conduct according to the goal he wishes to reach;

since my love was rejected by you, I court the favour of the Prince.

EL. But do you not know that no favour will be granted to him if you

continue to maintain him in this disposition?

LOP. Pray, charming Eliza, was it ever known that those about great men

minded anything but their own interest, or that a perfect courtier

wished to increase the retinue of those same grandees by adding to it a

censor of their faults? Did he ever trouble himself if his conversation

harmed them, provided he could but derive some benefit? All the actions

of a courtier only tend to get into their favour, to obtain a place in

as short a time as possible; the quickest way to acquire their good

graces is by always flattering their weaknesses, by blindly applauding

what they have a mind to do, and by never countenancing anything that

displeases them. That is the true secret of standing well with them.

Good advice causes a man to be looked upon as a troublesome fellow, so

that he no longer enjoys that confidence which he had secured by an

artful subservience. In short, we always see that the art of courtiers

aims only at taking advantage of the foibles of the great, at cherishing

their errors, and never advising them to do things which they dislike.

EL. These maxims may do well enough for a time: but reverses of fortune

have to be dreaded. A gleam of light may at last penetrate the minds of

the deceived nobles, who will then justly avenge themselves on all such

flatterers for the length of time their glory has been dimmed. Meanwhile

I must tell you that you have been a little too frank in your

explanations; if a true account of your motives were laid before the

Prince, it would but ill serve you in making your fortune.

LOP. I could deny having told you those truths I have just unfolded, and

that without being gainsaid; but I know very well that Eliza is too

discreet to divulge this private conversation. After all, what I have

said is known by everyone; what actions of mine have I to conceal? A

downfall may be justly dreaded when we employ artifices or treachery.

But what have I to fear? I, who cannot be taxed with anything but

complaisance, who by my useful lessons do but follow up the Prince's

natural inclination for jealousy. His soul seems to live upon

suspicions; and so I do my very best to find him opportunities for his

uneasiness, and to look out on all sides if anything has happened that

may furnish a subject for a secret conversation. When I can go to him,

with a piece of news that may give a deadly blow to his repose, then he

loves me most: I can see him listen eagerly and swallow the poison, and

thank me for it too, as if I had brought him news of some victory which

would make him happy and glorious for all his life. But my rival draws

near, and so I leave you together; though I have renounced all hope of

ever gaining your affection, yet it would pain me not a little to see

you prefer him to me before my face; therefore I will avoid such a

mortification as much as I can.

[Footnote: Don Lopez bears a distant resemblance to "honest Iago" in

Othello, though Molière has only faintly shadowed forth what Shakespeare

has worked out in so masterly a manner.]

EL. All judicious lovers should do the same.

SCENE II.--DON ALVAREZ, ELIZA.

ALV. At last we have received intelligence that the king of Navarre has

this very day declared himself favourable to the Prince's love, and that

a number of fresh troops will reinforce his army, ready to be employed

in the service of her to whom his wishes aspire. As for me, I am

surprised at their quick movements... but...

SCENE III.--DON GARCIA, DON ALVAREZ, ELIZA.

GARC. What is the Princess doing?

EL. I think, my Lord, she is writing some letters; but I shall let her

know that you are here.

GARC. (_In a low voice and aside_). How well she dissembles.

ELV. We have just now heard that the King, your father, approves your

designs, and consents that his son should restore us to our subjects. I

am extremely rejoiced at this.

GARC. Yes, Madam, and my heart is rejoiced at it too; but....

ELV. The tyrant will doubtless find it difficult to defend himself

against the thunderbolts which from all sides threaten him. I flatter

myself that the same courage which was able to deliver me from the

brutal rage of the usurper, to snatch me out of his hands, and place me

safe within the walls of Astorga, will conquer the whole of Leon, and by

its noble efforts cause the head of the tyrant to fall.

GARC. A few days more will show if I am successful. But pray let us

proceed to some other subject of conversation. If you do not consider me

too bold, will you kindly tell me, Madam, to whom you have written since

fate led us hither?

ELV. Why this question, and whence this anxiety?

GARC. Out of pure curiosity, Madam, that is all.

ELV. Curiosity is the daughter of jealousy.

GARC. No; it is not at all what you imagine; your commands have

sufficiently cured that disease.

ELV. Without endeavouring further to discover what may be the reasons

for your inquiry, I have written twice to the Countess Inez at Leon, and

as often to the Marquis, Don Louis, at Burgos. Does this answer put your

mind at rest?

GARC. Have you written to no one else, Madam?

ELV. No, certainly, and your questions astonish me.

GARC. Pray consider well, before you make such a statement, because

people forget sometimes, and thus perjure themselves.

ELV. I cannot perjure myself in what I have stated.

GARC. You have, however, told a very great falsehood.

ELV. Prince!

GARC. Madam!

ELV. Heavens; what is the meaning of this! Speak! Have you lost your

senses?

GARC. Yes, yes, I lost them, when to my misfortune I beheld you, and

thus took the poison which kills me; when I thought to meet with some

sincerity in those treacherous charms that bewitched me.

ELV. What treachery have you to complain of?

GARC. Oh! how double-faced she is! how well she knows to dissimulate!

But all means for escape will fail you. Cast your eyes here, and

recognize your writing.

[Footnote: The lines, "Heavens! what is the meaning of this?" till "and

recognize your writing" have been employed again by Molière in the

_Misanthrope_, Act iv., Scene 3, (see vol. II). The misanthrope Alceste

has also in his hand the written proofs of the faithlessness of the

object of his love: but his suspicions are well founded, whilst those of

Don Garcia are inspired only by jealousy.]

Without having seen the other part of this letter, it is easy enough to

discover for whom you employ this style.

ELV. And this is the cause of your perturbation of spirits?

GARC. Do you not blush on beholding this writing?

ELV. Innocence is not accustomed to blush.

GARC. Here indeed we see it oppressed. You disown this letter because it

is not signed.

ELV. Why should I disown it, since I wrote it?

[Footnote: The words, "And this is the cause" until "since I wrote it,"

are, with a few slight alterations, found also in the _Misanthrope_, Act

iv., Scene 3.]

GARC. It is something that you are frank enough to own your handwriting;

but I will warrant that it was a note written to some indifferent

person, or at least that the tender sentiments it contains were intended

only for some lady friend or relative.

ELV. No, I wrote it to a lover, and, what is more, to one greatly

beloved.

GARC. And can I, O perfidious woman...?

ELV. Bridle, unworthy Prince, the excess of your base fury. Although you

do not sway my heart, and I am accountable here to none but myself, yet

for your sole punishment I will clear myself from the crime of which you

so insolently accuse me. You shall be undeceived; do not doubt it. I

have my defence at hand. You shall be fully enlightened; my innocence

shall appear complete. You yourself shall be the judge in your own

cause, and pronounce your own sentence.

GARC. I cannot understand such mysterious talk.

ELV. You shall soon comprehend it to your cost. Eliza come hither!

SCENE VI.--DON GARCIA, DONNA ELVIRA, ELIZA.

EL. Madam.

ELV. (_to Don Garcia_). At least observe well whether I make use of any

artifice to deceive you; whether by a single glance or by any warning

gesture I seek to ward off this sudden blow. (_To Eliza_). Answer me

quickly, where did you leave the letter I wrote just now?

EL. Madam, I confess I am to blame. This letter was by accident left on

my table; but I have just been informed that Don Lopez, coming into my

apartment, took, as he usually does, the liberty to pry everywhere, and

found it. As he was unfolding it, Leonora wished to snatch it from him

before he had read anything; and whilst she tried to do this, the letter

in dispute was torn in two pieces, with one of which Don Lopez quickly

went away, in spite of all she could do.

ELV. Have you the other half?

EL. Yes; here it is.

ELV. Give it to me. (_To Don Garcia_). We shall see who is to blame;

join the two parts together, and then read it aloud. I wish to hear it.

GARC. "_To Don Garcia_." Ha!

ELV. Go on! Are you thunderstruck at the first word?

GARC. (_Reads_). "_Though your rival, Prince, disturbs your mind, you

ought still to fear yourself more than him. It is in your power to

destroy now the greatest obstacle your passion has to encounter. I feel

very grateful to Don Garcia for rescuing me from the hands of my bold

ravishers; his love, his homage delights me much; but his jealousy is

odious to me. Remove, therefore, from your love that foul blemish;

deserve the regards that are bestowed upon it; and when one endeavours

to make you happy, do not persist in remaining miserable_."

ELV. Well, what do you say to this?

GARC. Ah! Madam, I say that on reading this I am quite confounded; that

I see the extreme injustice of my complaints, and that no punishment can

be severe enough for me.

ELV. Enough! Know that if I desired that you should read the letter, it

was only to contradict everything I stated in it; to unsay a hundred

times all that you read there in your favour. Farewell, Prince.

GARC. Alas, Madam! whither do you fly?

ELV. To a spot where you shall not be, over-jealous man.

GARC. Ah, Madam, excuse a lover who is wretched because, by a wonderful

turn of fate, he has become guilty towards you, and who, though you are

now very wroth with him, would have deserved greater blame if he had

remained innocent. For, in short, can a heart be truly enamoured which

does not dread as well as hope? And could you believe I loved you if

this ominous letter had not alarmed me; if I had not trembled at the

thunderbolt which I imagined had destroyed all my happiness? I leave it

to yourself to judge if such an accident would not have caused any other

lover to commit the same error; if I could disbelieve, alas, a proof

which seemed to me so clear!

ELV. Yes, you might have done so; my feelings so clearly expressed ought

to have prevented your suspicions. You had nothing to fear; if some

others had had such a pledge they would have laughed to scorn the

testimony of the whole world.

GARC. The less we deserve a happiness which has been promised us, the

greater is the difficulty we feel in believing in it. A destiny too full

of glory seems unstable, and renders us suspicious. As for me, who think

myself so little deserving of your favours, I doubted the success of my

rashness.

[Footnote: Molière has with a few alterations placed this phrase

beginning with "the less," and ending with "my rashness," in the mouth

of _Tartuffe_ in the play of the same name, Act iv., Sc. 5, (see Vol.

II).]

I thought that, finding yourself in a place under my command, you forced

yourself to be somewhat kind to me; that, disguising to me your

severity...

ELV. Do you think that I could stoop to so cowardly an action? Am I

capable of feigning so disgracefully; of acting from motives of servile

fear; of betraying my sentiments; and, because I am in your power, of

concealing my contempt for you under a pretence of kindness? Could any

consideration for my own reputation so little influence me? Can you

think so, and dare to tell it me? Know that this heart cannot debase

itself; that nothing under Heaven can compel it to act thus: if it has

committed the great error of showing you some kindness, of which you

were not worthy, know that in spite of your power, it will be able now

to show the hatred it feels for you, to defy your rage, and convince you

that it is not mean, nor ever will be so.

[Footnote: This scene beginning from "Well," until the end, has, with

several alterations rendered necessary by change of metre, been treated

by Molière in his _Amphitryon_, Act ii., Sc. 6, (see Vol. II.).]

GARC. Well, I cannot deny that I am guilty: but I beg pardon of your

heavenly charms, I beg it for the sake of the most ardent love that two

beautiful eyes ever kindled in a human soul. But if your wrath cannot be

appeased; if my crime be beyond forgiveness; if you have no regard for

the love that caused it, nor for my heart-felt repentance, then one

propitious blow shall end my life, and free me from these unbearable

torments. No, think not that having displeased you, I can live for one

moment under your wrath. Even whilst we are speaking, my heart sinks

under gnawing remorse; were a thousand vultures cruelly to wound it,

they could not inflict greater pangs. Tell me, madam, if I may hope for

pardon; if not, then this sword shall instantly, in your sight, by a

well-directed thrust, pierce the heart of a miserable wretch; that

heart, that irresolute heart, whose weakness has so deeply offended your

excessive kindness, too happy if in death this just doom efface from

your memory all remembrance of its crime, and cause you to think of my

affection without dislike. This is the only favour my love begs of you.

ELV. Oh! too cruel Prince!

GARC. Speak, Madam.

ELV. Must I still preserve some kind feelings for you, and suffer myself

to be affronted by so many indignities?

GARC. A heart that is in love can never offend, and finds excuses for

whatever love may do.

ELV. Love is no excuse for such outbursts.

GARC. Love communicates its ardour to all emotions, and the stronger it

is, the more difficulty it finds...

ELV. No, speak to me no more of it; you deserve my hatred.

GARC. You hate me then?

ELV. I will at least endeavour to do so. But alas! I am afraid it will

be in vain, and that all the wrath which your insults have kindled, will

not carry my revenge so far.

GARC. Do not endeavour to punish me so severely, since I offer to kill

myself to avenge you; pronounce but the sentence and I obey immediately.

ELV. One who cannot hate cannot wish anybody to die.

GARC. I cannot live unless you kindly pardon my rash errors; resolve

either to punish or to forgive.

ELV. Alas! I have shown too clearly my resolution; do we not pardon a

criminal when we tell him we cannot hate him?

GARC. Ah! this is too much. Suffer me, adorable Princess...

ELV. Forbear, I am angry with myself for my weakness.

GARC. (_Alone_). At length I am...

SCENE VII.--DON GARCIA, DON LOPEZ.

LOP. My Lord, I have to communicate to you a secret that may justly

alarm your love.

GARC. Do not talk to me of secrets or alarms, whilst I am in such a

blissful rapture. After what has just taken place, I ought not to listen

to any suspicions. The unequalled kindness of a divine object ought to

shut my ears against all such idle reports. Do not say anything more.

LOP. My Lord, I shall do as you wish; my only care in this business was

for you. I thought that the secret I just discovered ought to be

communicated with all diligence; but since it is your pleasure I should

not mention it, I shall change the conversation, and inform you that

every family in Leon threw off the mask, as soon as the report spread

that the troops of Castile were approaching; the lower classes

especially show openly such an affection for their true King, that the

tyrant trembles for fear.

GARC. Castile, however, shall not gain the victory without our making an

attempt to share in the glory; our troops may also be able to terrify

Mauregat. But what secret would you communicate to me? Let us hear it?

LOP. My Lord, I have nothing to say.

[Footnote: Compare Iago's reticence in Shakespeare's _Othello_ (iii.

3).]

GARC. Come, come, speak, I give you leave.

LOP. My Lord, your words have told me differently; and since my news may

displease you, I shall know for the future how to remain silent.

GARC. Without further reply, I wish to know your secret.

LOP. Your commands must be obeyed; but, my Lord, duty forbids me to

explain such a secret in this place. Let us go hence, and I shall

communicate it to you; without taking anything lightly for granted, you

yourself shall judge what you ought to think of it.

ACT III.

SCENE I.--DONNA ELVIRA, ELIZA.

ELV. What say you, Eliza, to this unaccountable weakness in the heart of

a Princess? What do you say when you see me so quickly forego my desire

for revenge, and, in spite of so much publicity, weakly and shamefully

pardon so cruel an outrage.

EL. I say, Madam, that an insult from a man we love is doubtless very

difficult to bear; but if there be none which makes us sooner angry, so

there is none which we sooner pardon. If the man we love is guilty, and

throws himself at our feet, he triumphs over the rash outbreak of the

greatest anger; so much the more easily, Madam, if the offence comes

from an excess of love. However great your displeasure may have been, I

am not astonished to see it appeased; I know the power which, in spite

of your threats, will always pardon such crimes.

ELV. But know, Eliza, however great the power of my love may be, I have

blushed for the last time; if henceforth the Prince gives me fresh cause

for anger, he must no longer look for pardon. I swear, that in such a

case, I will never more foster tender feelings for him: for in short, a

mind with ever so little pride is greatly ashamed to go back from its

word, and often struggles gallantly against its own inclinations; it

becomes stubborn for honour's sake, and sacrifices everything to the

noble pride of keeping its word. Though I have pardoned him now, do not

consider this a precedent for the future. Whatever fortune has in store

for me, I cannot think of giving my hand to the Prince of Navarre, until

he has shown that he is completely cured of those gloomy fits which

unsettle his reason, and has convinced me, who am the greatest sufferer

by this disease, that he will never insult me again by a relapse.

EL. But how can the jealousy of a lover be an insult to us?

ELV. Is there one more deserving of our wrath? And since it is with the

utmost difficulty we can resolve to confess our love; since the strict

honour of our sex at all times strongly opposes such a confession, ought

a lover to doubt our avowal, and should he not be punished? Is he not

greatly to blame in disbelieving that which is never said but after a

severe struggle with one's self?

[Footnote: The words "since it is" until "one's self" have been used by

Molière with some slight alteration in the _Misanthrope_, Act iv., Scene

3, (see vol. II.)]

EL. As for me, I think that a little mistrust on such an occasion should

not offend us; and that it is dangerous, Madam, for a lover to be

absolutely persuaded that he is beloved. If...

ELV. Let us argue no more. Every person thinks differently. I am

offended by such suspicions; and, in spite of myself, I am conscious of

something which forebodes an open quarrel between the Prince and me, and

which, notwithstanding his great qualities.... But Heavens! Don Silvio

of Castile in this place!

SCENE II.--DONNA ELVIRA, DON ALPHONSO, _under the name of Don Silvio_,

ELIZA.

ELV. Ah! my Lord, what chance has brought you here?

ALPH. I know, Madam, that my arrival must surprise you. To enter quietly

this town, to which the access has become difficult through the orders

of a rival, and to have avoided being seen by the soldiers, is an event

you did not look for. But if, in coming here, I have surmounted some

obstacles, the desire of seeing you is able to effect much greater

miracles. My heart has felt but too severely the blows of merciless fate

which kept me away from you; to allay the pangs which nearly kill me, I

could not refuse myself some moments to behold in secret your

inestimable person. I come, therefore, to tell you that I return thanks

to Heaven, that you are rescued from the hands of an odious tyrant. But,

in the midst of that happiness, I feel that I shall always be tortured

with the thought that envious fate deprived me of the honour of

performing such a noble deed, and has unjustly given to my rival the

chance of venturing his life pleasantly to render you so great a

service. Yes, Madam, my readiness to free you from your chains was

undoubtedly equal to his; I should have gained the victory for you, if

Heaven had not robbed me of that honour.

ELV. I know, my Lord, that you possess a heart capable of overcoming the

greatest dangers; I doubt not but this generous zeal which incited you

to espouse my quarrel, would have enabled you, as well as any one else,

to overcome all base attempts; but even if you have not performed this

noble deed--and you could have done it--I am already under sufficient

obligations to the house of Castile. It is well known what a warm and

faithful friend the Count, your father, was of the late King, and what

he did for him. After having assisted him until he died, he gave my

brother a shelter in his states; full twenty years he concealed him, in

spite of the cowardly efforts to discover him, employed by barbarous and

enraged enemies; and now to restore to his brow a crown, in all its

splendour, you are marching in person against our usurpers. Are you not

satisfied, and do not these generous endeavours place me under strong

obligations to you? Would you, my Lord, obstinately persist in swaying

my whole fate? Must I never receive even the slightest kindness unless

from you? Ah! amidst these misfortunes, which seem to be my fate, suffer

me to owe also something to another, and do not complain that another

arm acquired some glory, when you were absent.

ALPH. Yes, Madam, I ought to cease complaining; you are quite right when

you tell me so; we unjustly complain of one misfortune, when a much

greater threatens to afflict us. This succour from a rival is a cruel

mortification to me: but, alas! this is not the greatest of my

misfortunes; the blow, the severe blow which crushes me, is to see that

rival preferred to me. Yes, I but too plainly perceive that his greater

reputation was the reason that his love was preferred to mine; that

opportunity of serving you, the advantage he possessed of signalizing

his prowess, that brilliant exploit which he performed in saving you,

was nothing but the mere effect of being happy enough to please you, the

secret power of a wonderful astral influence which causes the object you

love to become famed. Thus all my efforts will be in vain. I am leading

an army against your haughty tyrants; but I fulfil this noble duty

trembling, because I am sure that your wishes will not be for me, and

that, if they are granted, fortune has in store the most glorious

success for my happy rival. Ah! Madam, must I see myself hurled from

that summit of glory I expected; and may I not know what crimes they

accuse me of, and why I have deserved that dreadful downfall?

ELV. Before you ask me anything, consider what you ought to ask of my

feelings. As for this coldness of mine, which seems to abash you, I

leave it to you, my Lord, to answer for me; for, in short, you cannot be

ignorant that some of your secrets have been told to me. I believe your

mind to be too noble and too generous to desire me to do what is wrong.

Say yourself if it would be just to make me reward faithlessness;

whether you can, without the greatest injustice, offer me a heart

already tendered to another; whether you are justified in complaining,

and in blaming a refusal which would prevent you from staining your

virtues with a crime? Yes, my Lord, it is a crime, for first love has so

sacred a hold on a lofty mind, that it would rather lose greatness and

abandon life itself, than incline to a second love.

[Footnote: The words "Yes my Lord" until "second love" are also, with

some alterations, found in _The Blue Stockings_, Act iv. Scene 2, (see

Vol. III).]

I have that regard for you which is caused by an appreciation of your

lofty courage, your magnanimous heart; but do not require of me more

than I owe you, and maintain the honour of your first choice. In spite

of your new love, consider what tender feelings the amiable Inez still

retains for you; that she has constantly refused to be made happy for

the sake of an ungrateful man; for such you are, my Lord! In her great

love for you, how generously has she scorned the splendour of a diadem!

Consider what attempts she has withstood for your sake, and restore to

her heart what you owe it.

ALPH. Ah, Madam, do not present her merit to my eyes! Though I am an

ungrateful man and abandon her, she is never out of my mind; if my heart

could tell you what it feels for her, I fear it would be guilty towards

you. Yes, that heart dares to pity Inez, and does not, without some

hesitation follow the violent love which leads it on. I never flattered

myself that you would reward my love without at the same time breathing

some sighs for her; in the midst of these pleasant thoughts my memory

still casts some sad looks towards my first love, reproaches itself with

the effect of your divine charms, and mingles some remorse with what I

wish most fervently. And since I must tell you all, I have done more

than this. I have endeavoured to free myself from your sway, to break

your chains, and to place my heart again under the innocent yoke of its

first conqueror. But, after all my endeavours, my fidelity gives way,

and I see only one remedy for the disease that kills me. Were I even to

be forever wretched, I cannot forswear my love, or bear the terrible

idea of seeing you in the arms of another; that same light, which

permits me to behold your charms, will shine on my corpse, before this

marriage takes place. I know that I betray an amiable Princess; but

after all, Madam, is my heart guilty? Does the powerful influence which

your beauty possesses leave the mind any liberty? Alas! I am much more

to be pitied than she; for, by losing me, she loses only a faithless

man. Such a sorrow can easily be soothed; but I, through an unparalleled

misfortune, abandon an amiable lady, whilst I endure all the torments of

a rejected love.

ELV. You have no torments but what you yourself create, for our heart is

always in our own power. It may indeed sometimes show a little weakness;

but, after all, reason sways our passions...

SCENE III.--DON GARCIA, DONNA ELVIRA, DON ALPHONSO, _under the name of

Don Silvio_.

GARC. I perceive. Madam, that my coming is somewhat unseasonable, and

disturbs your conversation. I must needs say I did not expect to find

such good company here.

ELV. Don Silvio's appearance indeed surprised me very much; I no more

expected him than you did.

GARC. Madam, since you say so, I do not believe you were forewarned of

this visit; (_to Don Silvio_) but you, sir, ought at least to have

honoured us with some notice of this rare happiness, so that we should

not have been surprised, but enabled to pay you here those attentions

which we would have liked to render you.

ALPH. My Lord, you are so busy with warlike preparations, that I should

have been wrong had I interrupted you. The sublime thoughts of mighty

conquerors can hardly stoop to the ordinary civilities of the world.

GARC. But those mighty conquerors, whose warlike preparations are thus

praised, far from loving secrecy, prefer to have witnesses of what they

do; their minds trained to glorious deeds from infancy, make them carry

out all their plans openly; being always supported by lofty sentiments,

they never stoop to disguise themselves. Do you not compromise your

heroic merits in coming here secretly, and are you not afraid that

people may look upon this action as unworthy of you?

ALPH. I know not whether any one will blame my conduct because I have

made a visit here in secret; but I know, Prince, that I never courted

obscurity in things which require light. Were I to undertake anything

against you, you should have no cause to remark you were surprised. It

would depend upon yourself to guard against it; I would take care to

warn you beforehand. Meanwhile let us continue upon ordinary terms, and

postpone the settlement of our quarrels until all other affairs are

arranged. Let us suppress the outbursts of our rather excited passions,

and not forget in whose presence we are both speaking.

ELV. (_To Don Garcia_). Prince, you are in the wrong; and his visit is

such that you...

GARC. Ah! Madam, it is too much to espouse his quarrel You ought to

dissemble a little better when you pretend that you were ignorant he was

coming here. You defend him so warmly and so quickly, that it is no very

convincing proof of his visit being unexpected.

ELV. Your suspicions concern me so little, that I should be very sorry

to deny your accusation.

GARC. Why do you not go farther in your lofty pride, and, without

hesitation, lay bare your whole heart? You are too prone to

dissimulation. Do not unsay anything you once said. Be brief, be brief,

lay aside all scruples; say that his passion has kindled yours, that his

presence delights you so much...

ELV. And if I have a mind to love him, can you hinder me? Do you pretend

to sway my heart, and have I to receive your commands whom I must love?

Know that too much pride has deceived you, if you think you have any

authority over me; my mind soars too high to conceal my feelings when I

am asked to declare them. I will not tell you whether the Count is

beloved; but I may inform you that I esteem him highly; his great

merits, which I admire, deserve the love of a Princess better than you;

his passion, the assiduity he displays, impress me very strongly; and if

the stern decree of fate puts it out of my power to reward him with my

hand, I can at least promise him never to become a prey to your love.

Without keeping you any longer in slight suspense, I engage myself to

act thus, and I will keep my word. I have opened my heart to you, as you

desired it, and shown you my real feelings. Are you satisfied, and do

you not think that, as you pressed me, I have sufficiently explained

myself? Consider whether there remains anything else for me to do in

order to clear up your suspicions. (_To Don Silvio_). In the meanwhile,

if you persist in your resolution to please me, do not forget, Count,

that I have need of your arm, and that whatever may be the outbreaks of

temper of an eccentric man, you must do your utmost to punish our

tyrants. In a word, do not listen to what he may say to you in his

wrath, and in order to induce you so to act, remember that I have

entreated you.

SCENE IV.--DON GARCIA, DON ALPHONSO.

GARC. Everything smiles upon you, and you proudly triumph over my

confusion. It is pleasant to hear the glorious confession of that

victory which you obtain over a rival; but it must greatly add to your

joy to have that rival a witness to it. My pretensions, openly set

aside, enhance all the more the triumph of your love. Enjoy this great

happiness fully, but know that you have not yet gained your point; I

have too just cause to be incensed, and many things may perhaps ere then

come to pass. Despair, when it breaks out, goes a great way; everything

is pardonable when one has been deceived. If the ungrateful woman, out

of compliment to your love, has just now pledged her word never to be

mine, my righteous indignation will discover the means of preventing her

ever being yours.

ALPH. I do not trouble myself about your antagonism. We shall see who

will be deceived in his expectations. Each by his valour will be able to

defend the reputation of his love, or avenge his misfortune. But as

between rivals the calmest mind may easily become irate, and as I am

unwilling that such a conversation should exasperate either of us, I

wish, Prince, you would put me in the way of leaving this place, so that

the restraint I put upon myself may be ended.

GARC. No, no, do not fear that you will be compelled to violate the

order you received. Whatever righteous wrath is kindled within me, and

which no doubt delights you, Count, I know when it should break forth.

This place is open to you; you can leave it, proud of the advantages you

have gained. But once more I tell you that my head alone can put your

conquest into your hands.

ALPH. When matters shall have reached that point, fortune and our arms

will soon end our quarrel.

ACT IV.

SCENE I.--DONNA ELVIRA, DON ALVAREZ.

ELV. You can go back, Don Alvarez, but do not expect that you shall

persuade me to forget this offence. The wound which my heart received is

incurable; all endeavours to heal it make it but fester the more. Does

the Prince think I shall listen to some simulated compliments? No, no,

he has made me too angry; and his fruitless repentance, which led you

hither, solicits a pardon which I will not grant.

ALV. Madam, he deserves your pity. Never was any offence expiated with

more stinging remorse; if you were to see his grief, it would touch your

heart, and you would pardon him. It is well known that the Prince is of

an age at which we abandon ourselves to first impressions; that in fiery

youth the passions hardly leave room for reflection. Don Lopez, deceived

by false tidings, was the cause of his master's mistake. An idle report

that the Count was coming, and that you had some understanding with

those who admitted him within these walls, was indiscreetly bruited

about. The Prince believed it; his love, deceived by a false alarm, has

caused all this disturbance. But being now conscious of his error, he is

well aware of your innocence; the dismissal of Don Lopez clearly proves

how great his remorse is for the outburst of which he has been guilty.

ELV. Alas! He too readily believes me innocent; he is not yet quite sure

of it. Tell him to weigh all things well, and not to make too much

haste, for fear of being deceived.

ALV. Madam, he knows too well....

ELV. I pray you, Don Alvarez, let us no longer continue a conversation

which vexes me: it revives in me some sadness, at the very moment that a

more important sorrow oppresses me. Yes, I have received unexpectedly

the news of a very great misfortune; the report of the death of the

Countess Inez has filled my heart with so much wretchedness, that there

is no room for any other grief.

ALV. Madam, these tidings may not be true; but when I return, I shall

have to communicate to the Prince a cruel piece of news.

ELV. However great his sufferings may be, they fall short of what he

deserves.

SCENE II.--DONNA ELVIRA, ELIZA.

EL. I waited, Madam until he was gone, to tell you something that will

free you from your anxiety, since this very moment you can be informed

what has become of Donna Inez. A certain person, whom I do not know, has

sent one of his servants to ask an audience of you, in order to tell you

all.

ELV. Eliza, I must see him; let him come quickly.

EL. He does not wish to be seen except by yourself; by this messenger he

requests, Madam that his visit may take place without any one being

present.

ELV. Well, we shall be alone, I will give orders about that, whilst you

bring him here. How great is my impatience just now! Ye fates, shall

these tidings be full of joy or grief?

SCENE III.--DON PEDRO, ELIZA.

EL. Where....

PED. If you are looking for me, Madam, here I am.

EL. Where is your master....

PED. He is hard by; shall I fetch him?

EL. Desire him to come; tell him that he is impatiently expected, and

that no one shall see him. (_Alone_). I cannot unravel this mystery; all

the precautions he takes ... But here he is already.

SCENE IV.--DONNA INEZ, _in man's dress_, ELIZA.

EL. My Lord, in order to wait for you, we have prepared.... But what do

I see? Ah! Madam, my eyes....

INEZ. Do not tell any one, Eliza, I am here; allow me to pass my sad

days in peace. I pretended to kill myself. By this feigned death I got

rid of all my tyrants; for this is the name my relatives deserve. Thus I

have avoided a dreadful marriage; rather than have consented, I would

really have killed myself. This dress, and the report of my death, will

keep the secret of my fate from all, and secure me against that unjust

persecution which may even follow me hither.

EL. My surprise might have betrayed you, if I had seen you in public;

but go into this room and put an end to the sorrow of the Princess; her

heart will be filled with joy when she shall behold you. You will find

her there alone; she has taken care to see you by herself, and without

any witnesses.

SCENE V.--DON ALVAREZ, ELIZA.

EL. Is this not Don Alvarez whom I see?

ALV. The Prince sends me to entreat you to use your utmost influence in

his favour. His life is despaired of, unless he obtains by your means,

fair Eliza, one moment's conversation with Donna Elvira; he is beside

himself ... but here he is.

SCENE VI.--DON GARCIA, DON ALVAREZ, ELIZA.

GARC. Alas. Eliza, feel for my great misfortune; take pity on a heart

full of wretchedness, and given up to the bitterest sorrow.

EL. I should look upon your torments, my Lord, with other eyes than the

Princess does; Heaven or our mood is the reason why we judge differently

about everything. But, as she blames you, and fancies your jealousy to

be a frightful monster, if I were in your place I should obey her

wishes, and endeavour to conceal from her eyes what offends them. A

lover undoubtedly acts wisely when he tries to suit his temper to ours;

a hundred acts of politeness have less influence than this unison, which

makes two hearts appear as if stirred by the same feelings. This

similarity firmly unites them; for we love nothing so much as what

resembles ourselves.

GARC. I know it, but alas! merciless fate opposes such a well

intentioned plan; in spite of all my endeavours, it continually lays a

snare for me, which my heart cannot avoid. It is not because the

ungrateful woman, in the presence of my rival, avowed her love for him,

and not for me; and that with such an excess of tenderness, that it is

impossible I can ever forget her cruelty. But as too much ardour led me

to believe erroneously that she had introduced him into this place, I

should be very much annoyed if I left upon her mind the impression that

she has any just cause of complaint against me. Yes, if I am abandoned,

it shall be only through her faithlessness; for as I have come to beg

her pardon for my impetuosity, she shall have no excuse for ingratitude.

EL. Give a little time for her resentment to cool, and do not see her

again so soon, my Lord.

GARC. Ah! if you love me, induce her to see me; she must grant me that

permission; I do not leave this spot until her cruel disdain at

least....

EL. Pray, my Lord, defer this purpose.

GARC. No; make no more idle excuses.

EL. (_Aside_). The Princess herself must find means to send him away, if

she says but one word to him. (_To Don Garcia_). Stay here, my Lord, I

shall go and speak to her.

GARC. Tell her that I instantly dismissed the person whose information

was the cause of my offence, that Don Lopez shall never...

SCENE VII.--DON GARCIA, DON ALVAREZ.

GARC. (_Looking in at the door which Eliza left half open_). What do I

see, righteous Heavens! Can I believe my eyes? Alas! they are,

doubtless, but too faithful witnesses; this is the most terrible of all

my great troubles! This fatal blow completely overwhelms me! When

suspicions raged within me, it was Heaven itself, vaguely but ominously

foretelling me this horrible disgrace.

ALV. What have you seen, my Lord, to disturb you?

GARC. I have seen what I can hardly conceive; the overthrow of all

creation would less astonish me than this accident. It is all over with

me ... Fate ... I cannot speak.

[Footnote: The words from "What have you seen" till "I cannot speak,"

are with some slight alterations, found in the _Misanthrope_, Act iv.,

Scene 2 (see Vol. II).]

ALV. My Lord, endeavour to be composed.

GARC. I have seen... Vengeance! O Heaven!

ALV. What sudden alarm...?

GARC. It will kill me, Don Alvarez, it is but too certain.

ALV. But, my Lord, what can...

GARC. Alas! Everything is undone. I am betrayed, I am murdered!

[Footnote: The last sentences of Don Alvarez and Don Garcia are also

found in the _Misanthrope_, Act iv., Scene 2 (see Vol. II).]

A man, (can I say it and still live) a man in the arms of the faithless

Elvira!

ALV. The Princess, my Lord, is so virtuous...

GARC. Ah, Don Alvarez, do not gainsay what I have seen. It is too much

to defend her reputation, after my eyes have beheld so heinous an

action.

ALV. Our passions, my Lord, often cause us to mistake a deception for a

reality; to believe that a mind nourished by virtue can....

GARC. Prithee leave me, Don Alvarez, a counsellor is in the way upon

such an occasion; I will take counsel only of my wrath.

ALV. (_Aside_). It is better not to answer him when his mind is so

upset.

GARC. Oh! how deeply am I wounded! But I shall see who it is, and punish

with my own hand.... But here she comes. Restrain thyself, O rage!

SCENE VIII.--DONNA ELVIRA, DON GARCIA, DON ALVAREZ.

ELV. Well, what do you want? However bold you may be, how can you hope

for pardon, after the way you have behaved? Dare you again present

yourself before me? And what can you say that will become me to hear?

GARC. That all the wickedness of this world is not to be compared to

your perfidy; that neither fate, hell, nor Heaven in its wrath ever

produced anything so wicked as you are.

[Footnote: The above words of Don Garcia are also in the _Misanthrope_,

Act iv., Scene 3 (see Vol. II).]

ELV. How is this? I expected you would excuse your outrage; but I find

you use other words.

GARC. Yes, yes, other words. You did not think that, the door being by

accident left half open, I should discover the caitiff in your arms, and

thus behold your shame, and my doom. Is it the happy lover who has

returned, or some other rival to me unknown? O Heaven! grant me

sufficient strength to bear such tortures. Now, blush, you have cause to

do so; your treachery is laid bare. This is what the agitations of my

mind prognosticated; it was not without cause that my love took alarm;

my continual suspicions were hateful to you, but I was trying to

discover the misfortune my eyes have beheld; in spite of all your care,

and your skill in dissembling, my star foretold me what I had to fear.

But do not imagine that I will bear unavenged the slight of being

insulted! I know that we have no command over our inclinations; that

love will everywhere spring up spontaneously; that there is no entering

a heart by force, and that every soul is free to name its conqueror;

therefore I should have no reason to complain, if you had spoken to me

without dissembling; you would then have sounded the death-knell of my

hope; but my heart could have blamed fortune alone. But to see my love

encouraged by a deceitful avowal on your part, is so treacherous and

perfidious an action, that it cannot meet with too great a punishment; I

can allow my resentment to do anything. No, no, after such an outrage,

hope for nothing. I am no longer myself, I am mad with rage.

[Footnote: The whole of this speech, from "Now blush," until "mad with

rage," has, with few alterations, been used in the _Misanthrope_. Act

iv., Scene 3 (see Vol. II).]

Betrayed on all sides, placed in so sad a situation, my love must avenge

itself to the utmost; I shall sacrifice everything here to my frenzy,

and end my despair with my life.

ELV. I have listened to you patiently; can I, in my turn, speak to you

freely?

GARC. And by what eloquent speeches, inspired by cunning....

ELV. If you have still something to say, pray continue; I am ready to

hear you. If not, I hope you will at least listen for a few minutes

quietly to what I have to say.

GARC. Well, then, I am listening. Ye Heavens! what patience is mine!

ELV. I restrain my indignation, and will without any passion reply to

your discourse, so full of fury.

GARC. It is because you see...

ELV. I have listened to you as long as you pleased; pray do the like to

me. I wonder at my destiny, and I believe there was never any thing

under Heaven so marvellous, nothing more strange and incomprehensible,

and nothing more opposed to reason. I have a lover, who incessantly does

nothing else but persecute me; who, amidst all the expressions of his

love, does not entertain for me any feelings of esteem; whose heart, on

which my eyes have made an impression, does not do justice to the lofty

rank granted to me by Heaven; who will not defend the innocence of my

actions against the slightest semblance of false appearances. Yes, I

see ... (_Don Garcia shows some signs of impatience, and wishes to

speak_). Above all, do not interrupt me. I see that my unhappiness is so

great, that one who says he loves me, and who, even if the whole world

were to attack my reputation, ought to claim to defend it against all,

is he who is its greatest foe. In the midst of his love, he lets no

opportunity pass of suspecting me; he not only suspects me, but breaks

out into such violent fits of jealousy that love cannot suffer without

being wounded. Far from acting like a lover who would rather die than

offend her whom he loves, who gently complains and seeks respectfully

to have explained what he thinks suspicious, he proceeds to extremities

as soon as he doubts, and is full of rage, insults, and threats. However,

this day I will shut my eyes to everything that makes him odious to me,

and out of mere kindness afford him an opportunity of being reconciled,

though he insulted me anew. This great rage with which you attacked me

proceeds from what you accidentally saw; I should be wrong to deny what

you have seen; I own you might have some reason to be disturbed at it.

GARC. And is it not...

ELV. Listen to me a little longer, and you shall know what I have

resolved. It is necessary that our fates should be decided. You are now

upon the brink of a great precipice; you will either fall over it, or

save yourself, according to the resolution you shall take. If,

notwithstanding what you have seen, Prince, you act towards me as you

ought, and ask no other proof but that I tell you you are wrong; if you

readily comply with my wishes and are willing to believe me innocent

upon my word alone, and no longer yield to every suspicion, but blindly

believe what my heart tells you; then this submission, this proof of

esteem, shall cancel all your offences; I instantly retract what I said

when excited by well-founded anger. And if hereafter I can choose for

myself, without prejudicing what I owe to my birth, then my honour,

being satisfied with the respect you so quickly show, promises to reward

your love with my heart and my hand. But listen now to what I say. If

you care so little for my offer as to refuse completely to abandon your

jealous suspicions; if the assurance which my heart and birth give you

do not suffice; if the mistrust that darkens your mind compels me,

though innocent, to convince you, and to produce a clear proof of my

offended virtue, I am ready to do so, and you shall be satisfied; but

you must then renounce me at once, and for ever give up all pretensions

to my hand. I swear by Him who rules the Heavens, that, whatever fate

may have in store for us, I will rather die than be yours! I trust these

two proposals may satisfy you; now choose which of the two pleases you.

GARC. Righteous Heaven! Was there ever anything more artful and

treacherous? Could hellish malice produce any perfidy so black? Could it

have invented a more severe and merciless way to embarrass a lover? Ah!

ungrateful woman, you know well how to take advantage of my great

weakness, even against myself, and to employ for your own purposes that

excessive, astonishing, and fatal love which you inspired.

[Footnote: The phrase "Ah! ungrateful woman" until "inspired" is also

found in the _Misanthrope_, Act iv., Scene 3 (see Vol. II).]

Because you have been taken by surprise, and cannot find an excuse, you

cunningly offer to forgive me. You pretend to be good-natured, and

invent some trick to divert the consequences of my vengeance; you wish

to ward off the blow that threatens a wretch, by craftily entangling me

with your offer. Yes, your artifices would fain avert an explanation

which must condemn you; pretending to be completely innocent, you will

give convincing proof of it only upon such conditions as you think and

most fervently trust I will never accept; but you are mistaken if you

think to surprise me. Yes, yes, I am resolved to see how you can defend

yourself; by what miracle you can justify the horrible sight I beheld,

and condemn my anger.

ELV. Consider that, by this choice, you engage yourself to abandon all

pretensions to the heart of Donna Elvira.

GARC. Be it so! I consent to everything; besides, in my present

condition, I have no longer any pretensions.

ELV. You will repent the wrath you have displayed.

GARC. No, no, your argument is a mere evasion; I ought rather to tell

you that somebody else may perhaps soon repent. The wretch, whoever he

may be, shall not be fortunate enough to save his life, if I wreak my

vengeance.

ELV. Ha! This can no longer be borne; I am too angry foolishly to

preserve longer my good nature. Let me abandon the wretch to his own

devices, and, since he will undergo his doom, let him--Eliza!... (_To

Don Garcia_). You compel me to act thus; but you shall see that this

outrage will be the last.

SCENE IX.--DONNA ELVIRA, DON GARCIA, ELIZA, DON ALVAREZ.

ELV. (_To Eliza_). Desire my beloved to come forth ... Go, you

understand me, say that I wish it.

GARC. And can I...

ELV. Patience, you will be satisfied.

EL. (_Aside, going out_). This is doubtless some new trick of our

jealous lover.

ELV. Take care at least that this righteous indignation perseveres in

its ardour to the end; above all, do not henceforth forget what price

you have paid to see your suspicions removed.

SCENE X.--DONNA ELVIRA, DON GARCIA, DONNA INEZ, ELIZA, DON ALVAREZ.

ELV. (_To Don Garcia, showing him Donna Inez_). Thanks to Heaven, behold

the cause of the generous suspicions you showed. Look well on that face,

and see if you do not at once recognize the features of Donna Inez.

GARC. O Heavens!

ELV. If the rage which fills your heart prevents you from using your

eyes, you can ask others, and thus leave no room for doubt. It was

necessary to pretend she was dead, so that she might escape from the

tyrant who persecuted her: she disguised herself in this manner the

better to profit by her pretended death. (_To Donna Inez_). You will

pardon me, Madam, for having consented to betray your secrets and to

frustrate your expectations; but I am exposed to Don Garcia's insolence;

I am no longer free to do as I wish; my honour is a prey to his

suspicions, and is every moment compelled to defend itself. This jealous

man accidentally saw us embrace, and then he behaved most disgracefully.

(_To Don Garcia_). Yes, behold the cause of your sudden rage, and the

convincing witness of my disgrace. Now, like a thorough tyrant, enjoy

the explanation you have provoked; but know that I shall never blot from

my memory the heinous outrage done to my reputation. And if ever I

forget my oath, may Heaven shower its severest chastisements upon my

head; may a thunderbolt descend upon me if ever I resolve to listen to

your love. Come, Madam, let us leave this spot, poisoned by the looks of

a furious monster; let us quickly flee from his bitter attacks, let us

avoid the consequences of his mad rage, and animated by just motives,

let us only pray that we may soon be delivered from his hands.

INEZ. (_To Don Garcia_). My Lord, your unjust and violent suspicions

have wronged virtue itself.

SCENE XI.--DON GARCIA, DON ALVAREZ.

GARC. What gleam of light clearly shows me my error, and, at the same

time, involves my senses in such a profound horror that, dejected, I can

see nothing but the dreadful object of a remorse that kills me! Ah! Don

Alvarez, I perceive you were in the right; but hell breathed its poison

into my soul; through a merciless fatality I am my worst enemy. What

does it benefit me to love with the most ardent passion that an amorous

heart ever displayed, if this love continually engenders suspicions

which torment me, and thus renders itself hateful! I must, I must justly

revenge by my death the outrage committed against her divine charms.

What advice can I follow now? Alas! I have lost the only object which

made life dear to me! As I relinquished all hope of ever being beloved

by her, it is much easier to abandon life itself.

ALV. My Lord...

GARC. No, Don Alvarez, my death is necessary. No pains, no arguments

shall turn me from it; yet my approaching end must do some signal

service to the Princess. Animated by this noble desire, I will seek some

glorious means of quitting life; perform some mighty deed worthy of my

love, so that in expiring for her sake she may pity me, and say, it was

excess of love that was my sole offence. Thus she shall see herself

avenged! I must attempt a deed of daring, and with my own hand give to

Mauregat that death he so justly deserves. My boldness will forestall

the blow with which Castile openly threatens him. With my last breath, I

shall have the pleasure of depriving my rival of performing such a

glorious deed.

ALV. So great a service, my Lord, may perhaps obliterate all remembrance

of your offence; but to risk....

GARC. Let me fulfil my duty, and strive to make my despair aid in this

noble attempt.

ACT V.

SCENE I.--DON ALVAREZ, ELIZA.

ALV. No, never was anyone more astonished. He had just planned that

lofty undertaking; inspired by despair, he was all anxiety to kill

Mauregat; eager to show his courage, and to reap the advantage of this

lawful deed; to endeavour to obtain his pardon, and prevent the

mortification of seeing his rival share his glory. As he was leaving

these walls, a too accurate report brought him the sad tidings, that the

very rival whom he wished to forestall had already gained the honour he

hoped to acquire: had anticipated him, in slaying the traitor, and urged

the appearance of Don Alphonso, who will reap the fruits of Don Silvio's

prompt success, and come to fetch the Princess, his sister. It is

publicly said and generally believed, that Don Alphonso intends to give

the hand of his sister as a reward for the great services Don Silvio has

rendered him, by clearing for him a way to the throne.

EL. Yes, Donna Elvira has heard this news, which has been confirmed by

old Don Louis, who has sent her word that Leon is now awaiting her happy

return and that of Don Alphonso, and that there, since fortune smiles

upon her, she shall receive a husband from the hands of her brother. It

is plain enough from these few words that Don Silvio will be her

husband.

ALV. This blow to the Prince's heart...

EL. Will certainly be severely felt. I cannot help pitying his distress;

yet, if I judge rightly, he is still dear to the heart he has offended;

it did not appear to me that the Princess was well pleased when she

heard of Don Silvio's success, and of the approaching arrival of her

brother, or with the letter; but...

SCENE II.--DONNA ELVIRA, DONNA INEZ, ELIZA, DON ALVAREZ.

ELV. Don Alvarez, let the Prince come hither. (_Don Alvarez leaves_).

Give me leave, Madam, to speak to him in your presence concerning this

piece of news, which greatly surprises me; and do not accuse me of

changing my mind too quickly, if I lose all my animosity against him.

His unforeseen misfortune has extinguished it; he is unhappy enough

without the addition of my hatred. Heaven, who treats him with so much

rigour, has but too well executed the oaths I took. When my honour was

outraged, I vowed openly never to be his; but as I see that fate is

against him, I think I have treated his love with too great severity;

the ill success that follows whatever he does for my sake, cancels his

offence, and restores him my love. Yes, I have been too well avenged;

the waywardness of his fate disarms my anger, and now, full of

compassion, I am seeking to console an unhappy lover for his

misfortunes. I believe his love well deserves the compassion I wish to

show him.

INEZ. Madam, it would be wrong to blame the tender sentiments you feel

for him. What he has done for you ... He comes; and his paleness shows

how deeply he is affected by this surprising stroke of fate.

SCENE III.--DON GARCIA, DONNA ELVIRA, DONNA INEZ, ELIZA.

GARC. Madam, you must think me very bold in daring to come here to show

you my hateful presence...

ELV. Prince, let us talk no more of my resentment; your fate has made a

change in my heart. Its severity, and your wretched condition have

extinguished my anger, and our peace is made. Yes, though you have

deserved the misfortunes with which Heaven in its wrath has afflicted

you; though your jealous suspicions have so ignominiously, so almost

incredibly, sullied my fame, yet I must needs confess that I so far

commiserate your misfortune, as to be somewhat displeased with our

success. I hate the famous service Don Silvio has rendered us, because

my heart must be sacrificed to reward it; I would, were it in my power,

bring back the moments when destiny put only my oath in my way. But you

know that it is the doom of such as we are, to be always the slaves of

public interests; that Heaven has ordained that my brother, who disposes

of my hand, is likewise my King. Yield, as I do, Prince, to that

necessity which rank imposes upon those of lofty birth. If you are very

unfortunate in your love, be comforted by the interest I take in you;

and though you have been overwhelmed by fate, do not employ the power

which your valour gives you in this place: it would, doubtless be

unworthy of you to struggle against destiny; whilst it is in vain to

oppose its decrees, a prompt submission shows a lofty courage. Do not

therefore resist its orders; but open the gates of Astorga to my brother

who is coming; allow my sad heart to yield to those rights which he is

entitled to claim from me; perhaps that fatal duty, which I owe him

against my will, may not go so far as you imagine.

GARC. Madam, you give me proofs of exquisite goodness in endeavouring to

lighten the blow that is prepared for me, but without such pains you may

let fall upon me all the wrath which your duty demands. In my present

condition, I can say nothing. I have deserved the worst punishments

which fate can inflict; and I know that, whatever evils I may suffer, I

have deprived myself of the right to complain of them. Alas, amidst all

my misfortunes, on what grounds can I be bold enough to utter any

complaint against you? My love has rendered itself a thousand times

odious, and has done nothing but outrage your glorious charms; when by a

just and noble sacrifice, I was endeavouring to render some service to

your family, fortune abandoned me, and made me taste the bitter grief of

being forestalled by a rival. After this, Madam, I have nothing more to

say. I deserve the blow which I expect; and I see it coming, without

daring to call upon your heart to assist me. What remains for me in this

extreme misfortune is to seek a remedy in myself, and, by a death which

I long for, free my heart from all those tribulations. Yes, Don Alphonso

will soon be here; already my rival has made his appearance; he seems to

have hurried hither from Leon, to receive his reward for having killed

the tyrant. Do not fear that I shall use my power within these walls to

offer him any resistance. If you allowed it, there is no being on earth

which I would not defy in order to keep you; but it is not for me, whom

you detest, to expect such an honourable permission. No vain attempts of

mine shall offer the smallest opposition to the execution of your just

designs. No, Madam, your feelings are under no compulsion; you are

perfectly free. I will open the gates of Astorga to the happy conqueror,

and suffer the utmost severity of fate.

SCENE IV.--DONNA ELVIRA, DONNA INEZ, ELIZA.

ELV. Madam, do not ascribe all my afflictions to the interest which I

take in his unhappy lot. You will do me but justice if you believe that

you have a large share in my heart-felt grief; that I care more for

friendship than for love. If I complain of any dire misfortune, it is

because Heaven in its anger has borrowed from me those shafts which it

hurls against you, and has made my looks guilty of kindling a passion

which treats your kind heart unworthily.

INEZ. This is an accident caused, doubtless, by your looks, for which

you ought not to quarrel with Heaven. If the feeble charms which my

countenance displays have exposed me to the misfortune of my lover

abandoning me, Heaven could not better soften such a blow than by making

use of you to captivate that heart. I ought not to blush for an

inconstancy which indicates the difference between your attractions and

mine. If this change makes me sigh, it is from foreseeing that it will

be fatal to your love; amidst the sorrow caused by friendship, I am

angry for your sake that my few attractions have failed to retain a

heart whose devotion interferes so greatly with the love you feel for

another.

ELV. Rather blame your silence, which, without reason, concealed the

understanding between your hearts. If I had known this secret sooner, it

might perhaps have spared us both some sad trouble; I might then coldly

and justly have refused to listen to the sighs of a fickle lover, and

perhaps have sent back whence they strayed...

INEZ. Madam, he is here.

ELV. You can remain without even looking at him. Do not go away, Madam,

but stay, and, though you suffer, hear what I say to him.

INEZ. I consent, Madam; though I very well know that were another in my

place, she would avoid being present at such a conversation.

ELV. If Heaven seconds my wishes, Madam, you shall have no cause to

repine.

SCENE V.--DON ALPHONSO (_believed to be Don Silvio_), DONNA ELVIRA,

DONNA INEZ.

ELV. Before you say a word, my Lord, I earnestly beg that you will deign

to hear me for a moment. Fame has already informed us of the marvellous

deeds you have performed. I wonder to see, as all do, how quickly and

successfully you have changed our lot. I know very well that such an

eminent service can never be sufficiently rewarded, and that nothing

ought to be refused to you for that never-to-be-forgotten deed which

replaces my brother on the throne of his ancestors. But whatever his

grateful heart may offer you, make a generous use of your advantages,

and do not employ your glorious action, my Lord, to make me bend under

an imperious yoke; nor let your love--for you know who is the object of

my passion--persist in triumphing over a well-founded refusal; let not

my brother, to whom they are going to present me, begin his reign by an

act of tyranny over his sister. Leon has other rewards which for the

nonce, may do more honour to your lofty valour. A heart which you can

obtain only by compulsion, would be too mean a reward for your courage.

Can a man be ever really satisfied when, by coercion, he obtains what he

loves? It is a melancholy advantage; a generous-minded lover refuses to

be happy upon such conditions. He will not owe anything to that pressure

which relatives think they have a right to employ; he is ever too fond

of the maiden he loves, to suffer her to be sacrificed as a victim, even

to himself. Not that my heart intends to grant to another what it

refuses to you. No, my Lord, I promise you, and pledge you my word of

honour, that no one shall ever obtain my hand, that a convent shall

protect me against every other...

ALPH. Madam, I have listened long enough to your discourse, and might,

by two words, have prevented it all, if you had given less credit to

false tidings. I know that a common report, which is everywhere

believed, attributes to me the glory of having killed the tyrant; but as

we have been informed, the people alone, stirred up by Don Louis to do

their duty, have performed this honourable and heroic act, which public

rumour ascribed to me. The reason of these tidings was that Don Louis,

the better to carry out his lofty purpose, spread a report that I and my

soldiers had made ourselves masters of the town; by this news he so

excited the people, that they hastened to kill the usurper. He has

managed everything by his prudent zeal, and has just sent me notice of

this by one of his servants. At the same time, a secret has been

revealed to me which will astonish you as much as it surprised me. You

expect a brother, and Leon its true master; Heaven now presents him

before you. Yes, I am Don Alphonso; I was brought up and educated under

the name of Prince of Castile; this clearly proves the sincere

friendship that existed between Don Louis and the King, my father. Don

Louis has all the proofs of this secret, and will establish its truth to

the whole world. But now my thoughts are taken up with other cares; I am

clear how to act towards you; not that my passion is opposed to such a

discovery, or that the brother in my heart quarrels with the lover. The

revelation of this secret has, without the least murmur, changed my

ardour into a love commanded by nature; the tie of relationship which

unites us has so entirely freed me from the love which I entertained for

you, that the highest favour I now long for is the sweet delights of my

first chain, and the means of rendering to the adorable Inez that which

her excessive goodness deserves.

[Footnote: Compare the manner in which Andres, in _The Blunderer_ (Act

v., Scene 15), recognises his sister in Celia.]

But the uncertainty of her lot renders mine miserable; if what is

reported be true, then it will be in vain for Leon to invite me, and for

a throne to wait for me; for a crown could not make me happy. I only

wished for its splendour in order to let me taste the joy of placing it

on the head of that maiden for whom Heaven destined me, and by those

means to repair, as far as I could, the wrong I have done to her

extraordinary virtues. It is from you, Madam, I expect tidings as to

what has become of her. Be pleased to communicate them, and by your

words hasten my despair, or the happiness of my life.

ELV. Do not wonder if I delay answering you; for this news, my Lord,

bewilders me. I will not take upon me to tell your loving heart, whether

Donna Inez be dead or alive; but this gentleman here, who is one of her

most intimate friends, will doubtless give you some information about

her.

ALPH. (_Recognising Donna Inez_). Ah, Madam, in this dilemma I am happy

to behold again your heavenly beauty. But with what eye can you look

upon a fickle lover, whose crime...

INEZ. Ah! do not insult me, and venture to state that a heart, which I

hold dear, could be inconstant. I cannot bear the thought, and the

apology pains me. All the love you felt for the Princess could not

offend me, because her great worth is a sufficient excuse. The love you

bore her is no proof of your guilt towards me. Learn that if you had

been culpable, the lofty pride within me would have made you sue in vain

to overcome my contempt, and that neither repentance nor commands could

have induced me to forget such an insult.

ELV. Ah, dear brother,--allow me to call you by this gentle name,--you

render your sister very happy! I love your choice, and bless fortune,

which enables you to crown so pure a friendship! Of the two noble hearts

I so tenderly love...

SCENE VI.--DON GARCIA, DONNA ELVIRA, DONNA INEZ, DON ALPHONSO, ELIZA.

GARC. For mercy's sake, Madam, hide from me your satisfaction, and let

me die in the belief that a feeling of duty compels you. I know you can

freely dispose of your hand; I do not intend to run counter to your

wishes. I have proved this sufficiently, as well as my obedience to your

commands. But I must confess that this levity surprises me, and shakes

all my resolutions. Such a sight awakens a storm of passion which I fear

I cannot command, though I would punish myself, if this could make me

lose that profound respect I wish to preserve. Yes, you have ordered me

to bear patiently my unfortunate love; your behest has so much influence

over my heart, that I will rather die than disobey you. But still, the

joy you display tries me too severely; the wisest man, upon such an

occasion, can but ill answer for his conduct. Suppress it, I beseech

you, for a few moments, and spare me, Madam, this cruel trial; however

great your love for my rival may be, do not let me be a wretched witness

of his felicity. This is the smallest favour I think a lover may ask,

even when he is disliked as much as I am. I do not seek this favour for

long, Madam; my departure will soon satisfy you. I go where sorrow shall

consume my soul, and shall learn your marriage only by hearsay; I ought

not to hasten to behold such a spectacle; for, without seeing it, it

will kill me.

INEZ. Give me leave, my Lord, to blame you for complaining, because the

Princess has deeply felt your misfortunes; this very joy at which you

murmur, arises solely from the happiness that is in store for you. She

rejoices in a success which has favoured your heart's desire, and has

discovered that your rival is her brother. Yes, Don Alphonso, whose name

has been so bruited about, is her brother; this great secret has just

now been told to her.

ALPH. My heart, thank Heaven, after a long torture, has all that it can

desire, and deprives you of nothing, my Lord. I am so much the happier,

because I am able to forward your love.

GARC. Alas! my Lord, I am overwhelmed by your goodness, which

condescends to respond to my dearest wishes. Heaven has averted the blow

that I feared; any other man but myself would think himself happy. But

the fortunate discovery of this favourable secret, proves me to be

culpable towards her I adore; I have again succumbed to these wretched

suspicions, against which I have been so often warned, and in vain;

through them my love has become hateful, and I ought to despair of ever

being happy. Yes, Donna Elvira has but too good reason to hate me; I

know I am unworthy of pardon; and whatever success fortune may give me,

death, death alone, is all that I can expect.

ELV. No, no, Prince, your submissive attitude brings more tender

feelings into my heart; I feel that the oath I took is no longer binding

on me; your complaints, your respect, your grief has moved me to

compassion; I see an excess of love in all your actions, and your malady

deserves to be pitied. Since Heaven is the cause of your faults, some

indulgence ought to be allowed to them; in one word, jealous or not

jealous, my King will have no compulsion to employ when he gives me to

you.

GARC. Heaven! enable me to bear the excess of joy which this confession

produces.

ALPH. I trust, my Lord, that after all our useless dissensions, this

marriage may forever unite our hearts and kingdoms. But time presses,

and Leon expects us; let us go therefore, and, by our presence and

watchfulness give the last blow to the tyrant's party.

End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Don Garcia of Navarre, by Moliere

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